Products & Resources

This section provides an educational overview of assistive technology product categories to help visitors understand the range of tools available. It is organized separately from our news coverage above and does not affect, and is not affected by, our news reporting.

Selecting assistive technology depends on individual needs, abilities, environment, and goals, and what works well for one person may not work well for another. We encourage visitors to research thoroughly and consult with a qualified professional. Complex assistive technology needs in particular often benefit from an individualized, professional assessment rather than a general product recommendation.

For general education on assistive technology, see AssistiveTechnology.org's Assistive Technology 101 guide. For formal, independent evaluations of assistive technology needs, see AssistiveTechnologyEvaluations.org. For nonprofit programs and services, see AccessibilityClinic.org.

Affiliate and Advertising Disclosure (Products & Resources): This page includes a small number of affiliate links to third-party retailers (Bookshop.org and Amazon), marked as such below. If a visitor makes a qualifying purchase through such a link, Accessibility Clinic may receive a commission at no additional cost to the visitor. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate and advertising relationships do not determine which products, brands, or categories are described on this page and do not guarantee endorsement of any product, brand, or service. The information provided here is educational and general in nature; it is not an individualized recommendation, prescription, or substitute for a professional assessment. No other advertising is configured on this site.

Browse by Category

The categories below are organized to help visitors browse assistive technology by function. This section includes curated resource links, and additional resources may be added over time following review.

AAC & Communication

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools help people who have difficulty with speech communicate through symbols, text, or synthesized speech. Consider a person's current abilities, how communication needs may change over time, and whether a device supports the people they communicate with daily. Learn more from AssistiveTechnology.org: AAC Basics  and AAC Evaluations. For a national nonprofit organization led by and for AAC users, see CommunicationFIRST. For a parent-friendly introduction to AAC, see Navigating Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): A Parent's Guide. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Computer Access

Computer access tools help people with limited mobility, dexterity, or vision use computers and mobile devices more independently, including adapted input methods and on-screen accommodations. Consider what a person can reliably and comfortably control, and how a solution will be used across their different devices. Learn more: Mac Access Methods and Apple's official Accessibility support resources. For an example of a foot-operated device that can perform mouse clicks as a hands-free alternative input method, see ECS USB Dual Foot Pedal. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Switch Access

Switches allow people with limited or inconsistent motor movement to activate devices, communication tools, or computer functions using a single reliable movement. Switch selection depends on the specific movement a person can perform consistently, and often benefits from hands-on trial. Learn more: Switch Access and AbleNet's guide to choosing a switch. For an example of a commonly used single switch, see AbleNet Jelly Bean Switch. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Alternative Keyboards & Mice

Alternative keyboards and pointing devices modify the size, layout, sensitivity, or method of input to make typing and on-screen navigation more accessible. Fit, adjustability, and compatibility with existing software are all important considerations. Learn more: Alternative Keyboards and Alternative Mice and Pointing Devices and Microsoft's accessible technology and adaptive accessories resources. For an example of a trackball-style alternative pointing device, see Kensington Expert Trackball Mouse. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Vision & Low Vision

Tools in this category support people who are blind or have low vision, including magnification, screen reading, braille, and high-contrast display options. The right combination often depends on the type and degree of vision loss, as well as the tasks a person needs to perform. Learn more: Screen Readers and Screen Magnification and Visual Access. For practical daily-living guidance after a vision loss diagnosis, see VisionAware from the American Foundation for the Blind. For families navigating a specific low-vision diagnosis, see  Little Bear Sees: How Children with Cortical Visual Impairment Can Learn to See. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Hearing Access

Hearing access tools include amplification, captioning, visual and tactile alerting systems, and assistive listening devices that support people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Consider the listening environment, and whether a solution needs to work with existing hearing aids or cochlear implants. Learn more: Hearing Access Technology and the Hearing Loss Association of America. For an example of a personal sound amplifier that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth, see BeHear SMARTO Personal Sound Amplifier. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Accessible Gaming

Accessible gaming tools include adaptive controllers, switch-accessible setups, and software accessibility features that make video games playable for people with a range of physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. Compatibility with specific games and consoles is an important factor to check before purchasing. Learn more: Accessible Gaming and Adaptive Gaming Controllers. For manufacturer documentation on accessible game design and features, see Microsoft's Xbox Accessibility resources. Two adaptive controllers are also available through Amazon: the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Home Accessibility

Home accessibility products support independent living, including environmental controls, accessible fixtures, and modifications that reduce barriers within the home. Many home accessibility decisions benefit from an in-home assessment by a qualified professional. Learn more: Environmental Control and Smart Home Accessibility and Accessibility Clinic's Home & Environmental Accessibility. For a simple example of a low-cost home modification, see Leveron Round Doorknob-to-Lever Adapter. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Educational Accessibility

Educational accessibility tools support students with disabilities in the classroom and at home, including reading, writing, and organizational supports. Because school-based needs often involve an IEP or 504 plan, coordination with a student's educational team is recommended. Learn more: Reading Assistive Technology and Educational AT Evaluations. For a foundational text on inclusive curriculum design, see Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.) For the free official framework this book is based on, see CAST's Universal Design for Learning Guidelines.

Daily Living

Daily living aids help with everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, bathing, and household management for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. An occupational therapist can often help identify which daily living aids best match a person's specific routines and environment. For an example of a widely used daily living aid, see RMS 34-Inch Extra Long Reacher Grabber Tool. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Mounting & Positioning

Mounting and positioning equipment secures communication devices, tablets, and other assistive technology in a stable, accessible position relative to a person's wheelchair, bed, or workspace. Proper fit typically requires an individualized assessment, since positioning needs vary by body type, equipment, and daily activities. Learn more: AT Assessment & Selection. For an example of a mounting product designed to be compatible with wheelchairs, desks, and tripods, see Mount-It! Tablet Pole and Desk Mount. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Mobile Accessibility

Mobile accessibility tools include built-in and third-party features that make smartphones and tablets easier to see, hear, understand, and operate. Many devices include free built-in accessibility settings worth exploring before considering additional purchases. Learn more: Mobile Device Accessibility.

Books & Educational Resources

This category includes accessible books, curricula, and instructional materials in formats such as audio, braille, and digital text. Format needs vary by reading ability, learning style, and available assistive technology, so it is worth confirming compatibility with a person's existing tools. Learn more: Reading Assistive Technology. For a general introduction to disability awareness and allyship, see Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.) For a collection of first-person essays from disabled writers, see Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century. (Affiliate link: Accessibility Clinic may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)